VioEdu exam results not to be used for competitive evaluation

Schools and localities must review VioEdu exam organization and refrain from using its results for student or teacher honors and awards.

This directive was issued in an official dispatch on 30/3 by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training.

The department urged schools and localities to strictly address any instances of cheating, as reported by the press. Furthermore, schools are prohibited from using results from this competition for awards or honors for groups, students, or teachers.

Two weeks prior, VioEdu organizers announced the discovery of widespread cheating during the commune and ward level rounds in Hanoi.

Specific instances included: proctors entering and leaving exam areas, prompting and assisting candidates; unauthorized photography, copying, and distribution of exam questions and session codes; and intentionally misplacing cameras to create blind spots for exam interference. All results from the violating sessions and exam rooms were invalidated, though the exact number of affected cases has not been disclosed.

VioEdu Arena (formerly VioEdu Math Arena) is a free online knowledge competition, conducted through games, for students in grades one to 9. Participants can register for an account independently or use one provided by their school to compete.

According to organizer estimates, the competition attracts 10 million students annually, making it the largest nationwide. For many years, despite no direct directive from the education sector, most primary schools encouraged student participation, recognizing and rewarding high-scoring students. Many localities also organized awards for teachers and schools with high achievements in this competition.